NJ STARS

The New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) Program is an initiative created by the State of New Jersey that provides New Jersey’s highest achieving students with free tuition at their home county college. The NJ STARS award covers the cost of tuition, less any State and/or Federal grants and scholarships, for up to five semesters.

If you meet the following requirements, you could be a STAR!

1. You are a New Jersey resident.

2. You rank in the top 15% of your class at the end of Junior or Senior year of high school (*Note: This is based on your weighted rank.).

3. You are within five semesters of your high school graduation.

NJ STARS will cover your tuition at RCBC for between 12-18 credits per fall and spring semester for up to five semesters. NJ STARS does not cover summer courses or fees.

(*Note: If you have any other federal or state grant funding, this may be applied to your tuition first.)

1. Maintain full-time status – between 12 to 18 credits per semester (about 4-6 courses).

2. Reach a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 prior to the start of your third semester. (*Note: This only includes courses taken while enrolled at RCBC in the NJ STARS Program, and does include summer courses.)

3. Complete FAFSA, HESAA, and any additional financial aid documents requested of you annually.

The NJ STARS II Program is a continuation of the NJ STARS Program that provides successful NJ STARS students at New Jersey county colleges with funding to transfer to a New Jersey four-year college/university to earn a bachelor’s degree. NJ STARS II allows students who graduate while in the NJ STARS program to receive the NJ STARS II scholarship at an approved New Jersey State College or University. If you graduate with at least a 3.25 GPA, have a family income less than $250,000 and meet all other program eligibility requirements, you may be eligible to receive an NJ STARS II award.

• Students who postpone college attendance must be enrolled full time at their home county college by the fifth semester after high school graduation to retain eligibility. 
•  Students who have attended one semester at another post secondary institution may be eligible for a NJ STARS award provided they enroll full time in a degree program at their home county college the following semester.
• Students and parent(s) must be permanent New Jersey residents pursuant to regulations established by HESAA.
• Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and legal New Jersey residents for a minimum of twelve consecutive months prior to high school graduation.